India has a rich water-based heritage, with historic communities and forts relying on constructed water systems like tanks and wells. In Gujarat, traditional practices such as the “taankaa” and “jal mandir or vav” systems have been used to conserve water. These traditional practices not only supported daily life but also helped improve the groundwater table during dry periods.

However, the increase in water consumption, coupled with a growing population, has led to a significant surge in the demand for water.

Today, the state of Gujarat has been facing water shortage as potable water is in poor supply. As of March 10, 2024, the water level of 36 reservoirs in the state was less than 10% .

Revival of Makarba Tank

Recognizing the importance of Gujarat’s traditional water systems, E.F.I has restored the Makarba Tank. A large water body located in the southern neighborhoods of Ahmedabad that feeds the historic Sarkhej Roza.

The Sarkhej Roza is a mosque, tomb and palace complex with Indo-Saracenic architecture. The name Sarkhej comes from the Urdu word “Zarkhez” meaning “fertile”. In the Sarkhej village, indigo dyers and weavers living next to the Makarba Tank were heavily dependent on its water for indigo dyeing. 

Over the years as the region saw a rise in population, several local residents began to dump their solid waste directly into the tank. Due to a lack of maintenance and sheer negligence, invasive weed species began to take over the lake, choking away its life.

Restoration Efforts by E.F.I.

In an effort to revive and conserve this water body, E.F.I in association with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, and the IndusInd Bank, part of the Hinduja Foundation under the Jal Jeevan initiative have taken on the task of restoring the historic Makarba Tank. Take a look at all that happened during this restoration!

The following measures were taken to enhance the waterbody during its restoration from March 2020 to March 2021.

– Removal of solid waste and invasive weeds.

– Peripheral desilting

-Lake Bed Stabilization

– Construction of Dual embankments

– Creation of Neem Pocket Islands

-Inlet Regulation & Trenches

-Fencing and Plantation of native species

Removal of Solid Waste and Invasive Weeds

42 tonnes of invasive weeds and non-biodegradable waste were removed from the lake.

Peripheral Desilting

Excess siltation in the periphery of the lake was removed and was used to construct bunds. An average of 3-4 feet of silt has been removed from the lake.

Lake Bed Stabilization

The Makarba Tank is deeper than the downstream Sarkhej Roza. Hence, water doesn’t reach the Roza from Makarba and creates backward flooding.

Lake bed stabilization was done to ensure optimum depth maintenance for seamless hydro flow.

Construction of Dual Embankments

Dual embankment structures were created to regulate the inflow of water to the historic Sarkhej Roza. Dual embankments of 18-22 ft were established which also increase flood resilience.

The dual embankments at its steepest point is a whopping 38 feet. 1.5km of the bund was constructed along the boundary of the lake.

Pocket Neem Islands

36 nesting islands were created to enhance the lake’s biodiversity recovery. These islands are the genesis of the lake’s new life.

Inlet regulation & Trenches

The inlet of the lake has been regulated to ensure proper inflow. Trenches were dug in the south-west region of the lake to improve percolation of water. Regulation of inlet was imperative to ensure proper inflow to the historic Sarkhej Roza.

Fencing and Plantation of native species

The lake was fenced to prevent future abuse of the water body. Native plantation was carried out to improve the green cover of the lake.

After Restoration

With new bunds and island pockets, the water body is ready to transform the entire neighbourhood and regulate local temperature. The Makarba lake now has a unique water story to tell. A historic and natural one.

Community Engagement

A clean-up was conducted with volunteers to engage with the community and sensitize them about the role of the lake in their local ecosystem,

The activity saw around 85 volunteers who collected close to 1.5 tonnes of waste in just 2 hours!

ForesTree, a voluntary plantation drive was conducted with 40 employees from IndusInd Bank, Ahmedabad at the newly constructed bund of the Makarba Tank.

50 native tree saplings such as the Neem, Gulmohar, Gooseberry were planted in an effort to increase the green cover of the Tank.

Volunteer for India and her Environment with E.F.I